Carpenter&#39;s apron

ABSTRACT

An apron including a front panel and a rear panel each including an inner surface, an outer surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. The bottom edges are coupled together, the first side edges are coupled together, the second side edges are coupled together, and an opening is between the top edges leading into a pocket defined by the inner surfaces. A first metal ring coupled to the rear panel where the top edge and the first side edge meet. A second metal ring is coupled to the rear panel where the top edge and the second side edge meet. A first hook is releasably attached to the first metal ring. A second hook is releasably attached to the second metal ring.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 15/958,315, filed Apr. 20, 2018 which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/487,847, filed Apr. 20, 2017, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apron and, more particularly, to a carpenter's apron that easily attaches to a user and includes material that prevents penetration by sharp objects.

Current carpenter aprons are made of a lightweight material, such as canvas. Waist aprons utilize ties or strings that wrap around a user's waist and are tied off at the user's back. The lightweight material used for most carpenter aprons allow staples and other sharp objects to penetrate and potentially pierce the wearer. Further, the ties or strings are cumbersome and sometimes difficult to secure to the user's waist.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved carpenter's apron that easily attaches to a user and has a thick enough material to prevent penetration of sharp objects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a method of using an apron comprising steps of: providing the apron comprising: a front panel and a rear panel each comprising an inner surface, an outer surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge, wherein the bottom edges are coupled together, the first side edges are coupled together, the second side edges are coupled together, and an opening is between the top edges leading into a pocket defined by the inner surfaces; a first metal ring coupled to the rear panel where the top edge and the first side edge meet; a second metal ring coupled to the rear panel where the top edge and the second side edge meet; a first hook releasably attached to the first metal ring; and a second hook releasably attached to the second metal ring; and coupling the apron to a user's pants by hooking the first hook around at least one of a first belt loop and a belt of the pants and hooking the second hook around at least one of a second belt loop and a belt of the pants.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a strap of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention illustrating open pockets;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a detail cross-section view indicated by line 6-6 in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention in a stowed configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, the present invention includes an apron 10. The apron 10 includes a front panel 14 and a rear panel 12 each including an inner surface, an outer surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. The bottom edges are coupled together, the first side edges are coupled together, the second side edges are coupled together, and an opening is between the top edges leading into a pocket defined by the inner surfaces. A first metal ring 20 is coupled to the rear panel 12 where the top edge and the first side edge meet. A second metal ring 20 is coupled to the rear panel 12 where the top edge and the second side edge meet. A first hook 26 is releasably attached to the first metal ring 20. A second hook 26 is releasably attached to the second metal ring 20.

The front panel 14 and the rear panel 12 may be made of a canvas material. Reinforcement strips 18 may be stitched along the edges of the canvas material. A reinforcement strip 18 may also connect central portions of the inner surfaces of the front panel 14 and the rear panel 12 together forming a divider. The divider separates the pocket into a first pocket and a second pocket. The present invention may further include a liner 16 coupled to the inner surface of the rear panel 12. The liner 16 may prevent staples and other sharp objects from penetrating the apron 10. For example, the liner 16 may be made of leather or vinyl, such as NAUGAHYDE™ and marine vinyl.

In certain embodiments, the first hook 26 and the second hook 26 are carabiners. Carabiners may quickly connect and disconnect the apron 10 to a belt or belt loops of the user. In certain embodiments, the first metal loop 20 and the second metal loop 20 are D-rings. The D-rings may be coupled to the rear panel 12 by mounting tabs 21. For example, the mounting tabs 21 may be looped around the D-ring and then stitched to the rear panel 12. The carabiners may directly connect with the D-rings.

In certain embodiments the present invention may utilize straps 22 to connect the metal loops 20 to the hooks 26. For example, a first strap 22 releasably connects the first metal ring 20 to the first hook 26 and a second strap 22 releasably connects the second metal ring 20 to the second hook 26. In certain embodiments, the first strap 22 and the second strap 22 are adjustable in length. Therefore, a user may adjust how low or how high the apron 10 may rest relative to the user's waist. In such embodiments, connectors adjust the length of the straps 22. For example, the connecters may include snap buttons 24, hook and loop fasteners, magnets, and the like. The snap buttons 24 may include male buttons 24 a disposed along the length of the straps 22 and female buttons 24 b disposed along the length of the straps 22. The strap 22 may fold over and the male buttons 24 a releasably attach to the female buttons 24 b.

The present invention may include a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration. The deployed configuration includes the first hook 26 and the second hook 26 attached to a user's belt or belt loops. During the deployed configuration, the user may carry different types of tools within the pockets. For example, the user may carry staples within the pockets. Due to the additional lining 16, the staples do not pierce the apron 10. The stowed configuration includes the apron 10 folded over on itself so that the pockets are closed and the apron is compressed and retained within the compressed state. In such embodiments, the first side edges and the second side edges are folded towards one another, closing the pockets. The first hook 26 releasably connects to at least one of the second hook 26 and the second metal ring 20, thereby keeping the pockets closed so that the pockets retain any items disposed within them.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of using an apron comprising steps of: providing the apron comprising: a front panel and a rear panel each comprising an inner surface, an outer surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge, wherein the bottom edges are coupled together, the first side edges are coupled together, the second side edges are coupled together, and an opening is between the top edges leading into a pocket defined by the inner surfaces; a first metal ring coupled to the rear panel where the top edge and the first side edge meet; a second metal ring coupled to the rear panel where the top edge and the second side edge meet; a first hook attached to the first metal ring; and a second hook attached to the second metal ring; and coupling the apron to a user's pants by hooking the first hook around at least one of a first belt loop and a belt of the pants and hooking the second hook around at least one of a second belt loop and the belt of the pants.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of coupling the apron to the user's pants comprises hooking the first hook around a first belt loop of the pants and hooking the second hook around the second belt loop of the pants.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the apron further comprises a first strap releasably connecting the first metal ring to the first hook and a second strap releasably connecting the second metal ring to the second hook, wherein the first strap and the second strap are adjustable in length.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising a step of adjusting the length of the first strap and the second strap so that a distance from the top edge of the apron to a waist of the user is adjusted.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the first strap and the second strap are adjustable in length by a plurality of snap buttons.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first hook and the second hook are carabiners.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first metal ring and the second metal ring are D-rings coupled to the rear panel by mounting tabs.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising steps of: removing the apron from the user's pants by unhooking the first hook from the at least one of the first belt loop and the belt of the pants and unhooking the second hook from the at least one of the second belt loop and the belt of the pants; folding the first side edges and the second side edges towards one another and thereby closing the pocket; and coupling the first hook to at least one of the second hook and the second metal ring.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the apron further comprises a divider connecting the front panel to the rear panel and forming a first pocket and a second pocket.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are made of a canvas material.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the apron further comprises a liner coupled to the inner surface of the rear panel.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the liner is made of at least one of leather and vinyl. 